Dragon Fruit Cheesecake

I just love a recipe that is simple – minimal equipment, minimal mess, minimal steps. This Dragon Fruit Cheesecake recipe ticks all those boxes and is super easy. Complete disclosure, the only thing that can trip you up is the gelatine prep. Depending on the type of gelatine you use, initially I went for the “Jel-it-in” individual sachet but it literally went to gel, luckily I had the good old fashioned Gelatine powder in my stores and this worked a treat, your gelatine mix needs to be liquid.

This Dragon Fruit Cheesecake recipe will wow your guests with its stunning colour, lovely fresh fruit you choose to decorate it with and with only 1 day required (for setting purposes) you’ll love how this show stopper can adorn the dessert table without too much effort.

DJ.

Ingredients

• • • ¼ cup cold water
    • 1 tbs gelatine powder
    • 250g pkt of your favourite biscuits, I used Arnotts NICE but think a plain choc biscuit crumb would be delicious and look magnificent against the pink of the cake
    • 100g butter – melted
    • 500g cream cheese – softened
    • 2/3 cup caster sugar
    • 1 large red dragon fruit diced (approx. 360 – 400g of fleshed fruit)
    • 300ml thickened cream
    • Extra dragon fruit (any colour) or other fruit such as berries to decorate (I used both fresh dragon fruit and made a simple blue berry compote to serve)

Method

• • Grease a 22cm round (base) springform cake pan. Line sides only with baking paper, ensuring it extends a minimum of 1cm above the edge of the pan
  • Place the ¼ cup water in a small heatproof jug. Sprinkle the gelatine powder over the water and microwave on HIGH for 20 to 30 seconds until gelatine is dissolved. Important watch closely as need to stir at halfway mark i.e. 10 secs. Once dissolved set aside to cool. Note the consistency should be liquid, not a gel.
  • Using a food processor, blitz biscuits until they resemble fine crumbs. Add the cooled melted butter and process until combined
  • Spoon and press biscuit mixture over the base of your prepared pan and refrigerated while preparing the filling
  • Wipe processor clean, then process softened cream cheese, sugar, and the dragon fruit until smooth and combined. Add cream and process for a further 30 seconds. Whilst the motor is running, gradually add cooled gelatine mixture, processing until combined.
  • Pour mixture over prepared base in pan
  • Refrigerate overnight or until set
  • Remove cheesecake from pan and place on serving platter
  • Decorate cheesecake with the extra dragon fruit and or berries to your liking